VIP sector to fuel Macau gambling rebound: Morgan Stanley

The VIP sector will be Macau’s silver lining after Typhoon Hato’s onslaught.

Economists at Morgan Stanley Research are predicting a sharp rebound in Macau’s gross gaming revenue this week thanks to the VIP sector’s firepower.

Typhoon Hato pummeled its way to mainland China last week, causing a massive disruption in Macau’s lucrative casino industry. Hato’s fury sent tourists and gamblers scurrying away from the former Portuguese enclave.

With mass players expected to give Macau a wide berth for the time being, analysts Praveen Choudhary and Alex Poon suggested that Macau will temporarily rely on the VIP sector to help China’s special administrative region get back on its feet.